DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11636#0311
and lower egypt.
28l
CHAP. XVII.
Egyptian dogs—Cats—Beautiful animal of this genus
reared by the Author—Domestic animals—Man-
gouste, or ichneumon—Species of tortoise of the Nile,
hostd* to the crocodile.
Amidst the population of Rossetta there exists
a horde of animals which, repelled by man, to
whose personal use nature seems to have destined
them, are nevertheless incapable of deserting him ;
and, as it were in defiance of his unkindness, per-
sist in rendering him service. In all ages, and
among all civilized nations, the dog has merited,
if I may presume to say so, to enter into alliance
with mankind. Savages themselves, who^scarcely
live in society with each other, rear the canine
race, and share with them the labours and the
fruits of the chase. From a ridiculous prejudice,
the offspring of a religion still more ridiculous,
the Mahometans alone hold this animal in abhor-
rence. With them he is an unclean beast, which
they will not admit into their houses, which they
carefully shun, and which they dare not touch, un-
der pain of becoming themselves unclean. Hence
a judgment may be formed of the full import of
the
28l
CHAP. XVII.
Egyptian dogs—Cats—Beautiful animal of this genus
reared by the Author—Domestic animals—Man-
gouste, or ichneumon—Species of tortoise of the Nile,
hostd* to the crocodile.
Amidst the population of Rossetta there exists
a horde of animals which, repelled by man, to
whose personal use nature seems to have destined
them, are nevertheless incapable of deserting him ;
and, as it were in defiance of his unkindness, per-
sist in rendering him service. In all ages, and
among all civilized nations, the dog has merited,
if I may presume to say so, to enter into alliance
with mankind. Savages themselves, who^scarcely
live in society with each other, rear the canine
race, and share with them the labours and the
fruits of the chase. From a ridiculous prejudice,
the offspring of a religion still more ridiculous,
the Mahometans alone hold this animal in abhor-
rence. With them he is an unclean beast, which
they will not admit into their houses, which they
carefully shun, and which they dare not touch, un-
der pain of becoming themselves unclean. Hence
a judgment may be formed of the full import of
the